Meet Emily Thérèse, the Canberra based textile designer that blew up overnight
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In a world where fast-paced, digitally created trends are becoming the new norm, Emily Thérèse is an Australian quilt artist who proves that traditional craftsmanship still has importance and a home in modern art.
Creating colorful quilted wall art designs, what started as a personal art project has turned into a successful business, with customers in over 20 countries purchasing her beautiful masterpieces.
Living in Belconnen with her partner, Hamish, Emily describes it simply: “I create colorful quilted artworks. I make them here in Canberra and I send them to homes all over the world!”
She has also created a DIY kit, allowing buyers to learn the technique, patience and time it takes to create each artwork. These DIY kits also help customers learn how to be artists like Emily, and give them an opportunity to master the techniques required so that they can create their own designs.
Interestingly, Emily didn’t always want to become a textile artist. She was originally enrolled in a Communication Design course at RMTI University before landing a job in creative production and styling at CottonON KIDS. Her passion for textile design led her to work hard and teach herself the skills needed to become a textile designer. Her dedication paid off when she secured a role designing womenswear for the popular Australian brand Cotton On, before later continuing her career at Target as the kids’ wear and homewares designer.
“I’ve always loved sewing and am completely self-taught – I’m a graduate of the school of YouTube,” Emily explains.
The idea of quilting surfaced when she discovered whole cloth quilting, a technique that uses a single continuous piece of fabric. Combining her design background and her love of sewing sounded like a perfect fit.
“I started sharing my pieces online, and they kind of blew up!”
A lot of Emily’s inspiration comes from everyday life. Influenced by artists such as Matisse, Saul Bass and Sister Corita Kent, she is constantly searching for interesting colors and patterns in the world around her
“I’m constantly photographing colour combinations in flowers, buildings and everyday things,” she says. “I want to make things that bring joy into someone’s home.”
After moving from Geelong to Canberra with Hamish, Emily quickly fell in love with the city.
“I love Canberra’s regional city feeling, with so much happening and nature right on your doorstep,” she says. “Everyone has been so welcoming, and it really feels like home now.”
One of her biggest achievements has been selling her artworks to an international audience.
“My biggest pinch-me moment has been seeing all the people on the other side of the world buying my art! Thinking that something I’ve made at home in Canberra is now hanging in hundreds of homes, across 20 different countries.”
Despite her growing success, Emily remains grateful for the support that she has received, especially from the Canberra community.
“One of my first orders on launch morning came from someone in Canberra who I’d never met, which felt so special!” She explains, “I’m so grateful for the support, especially while building a new life here.”
With ideas constantly popping into her head, Emily is looking forward to the future opportunities that she has set out for herself. As she continues to grow her business and create new artworks, it becomes clear that her creative outlook on art brings joy and a touch of Canberra craftsmanship to homes around the world.
You can follow Emily at @emilytheresedesign.
Images supplied.
